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La Ferrari 248 ha gareggiato nella stagione 2006 del campionato mondiale di F1. Il nome fa riferimento alla cilindrata di 2,4 litri. e alla tipologia dell'8 cilindri a V del motore.
Ha ottenuto 9 vittorie nel campionato mondiale di Formula 1 di quell'anno e i piloti Michael Schumacher e Felipe Massa si classificarono al secondo e terzo posto nella classifica conduttori.
Forza Schumi, dai che ce la fai!
The Ferrari 248 has competed in the 2006 F1 world championship season's. The name refers to the displacement of 2.4 liters and the type 8 V cylinder of the engine.
It got 9 wins in the world championship of Formula 1 and the drivers Michael Schumacher and Felipe Massa finished second and third in the conductors ranking.
Come on Schumi, you'll make it!
Use without permission is illegal.
Please don't use this image on websites, blogs or other media without my explicit permission. </b
La chiesa parrocchiale, che dà il nome al paese, è dedicata a Nostra Signora del Buon Consiglio.
Citata per la prima volta in un documento del 1018, è considerata la più antica della Val Badia.
Bellissima costruzione barocca importante meta di pellegrinaggio; notevole l’imponente campanile gotico, alto 56 m, e, all’interno, l’altare maggiore, in stile rinascimentale. Al centro si trova la statua raffigurante la Madonna, Santa Maria d’La Pli.
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The church, which gives the village its name, is dedicated to Our Lady of Good Counsel.
Cited for the first time in a document dated 1018, is considered the oldest in the Val Badia.
Beautiful Baroque building important place of pilgrimage, the great imposing Gothic tower, 56 m high, and inside the main altar, in the Renaissance style. At the center is the statue of the Madonna of Santa Maria La Pli.
www.flickr.com/photos/36017700@N02/3333371903/in/set-7215...
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Littorio
History
Italy
Name:Littorio
Namesake:The Lictor, a symbol of Italian Fascism[1]
Operator:Regia Marina
Ordered:10 June 1934
Builder:Ansaldo, Genova-Sestri Ponente
Laid down:28 October 1934
Launched:22 August 1937
Sponsored by:Signora Teresa Ballerino Cabella
Commissioned:6 May 1940
Decommissioned:1 June 1948
Renamed:Italia
Struck:1 June 1948
Fate:Scrapped at La Spezia 1952–54
General characteristics
Class and type:Littorio-class battleship
Displacement:
Standard: 40,723 long tons (41,376 t)
Full load:45,237 long tons (45,963 t)
Length:237.76 m (780.1 ft)
Beam:32.82 m (107.7 ft)
Draft:9.6 m (31 ft)
Installed power:
8 × Yarrow boilers
128,000 shp (95,000 kW)
Propulsion:4 × steam turbines, 4 × shafts
Speed:30 kn (35 mph; 56 km/h)
Range:3,920 mi (6,310 km; 3,410 nmi) at 20 kn (37 km/h; 23 mph)
Complement:1,830 to 1,950
Sensors and
processing systems:EC 3 ter 'Gufo' radar
Armament:
3 × 3 381 mm (15.0 in)/50 cal guns
4 × 3 152 mm (6.0 in)/55 cal guns
4 × 1 120 mm (4.7 in)/40 guns for illumination
12 × 1 90 mm (3.5 in)/50 anti-aircraft guns
20 × 37 mm (1.5 in)/54 guns (8 × 2; 4 × 1)
10 × 2 20 mm (0.79 in)/65 guns
Armor:
Main belt: 350 mm (14 in)
Deck: 162 mm (6.4 in)
Turrets: 350 mm
Conning tower: 260 mm (10 in)
Aircraft carried:3 aircraft (IMAM Ro.43 or Reggiane Re.2000)
Aviation facilities:1 stern catapult
Littorio was the lead ship of her class of battleship; she served in the Italian Regia Marina (Royal Navy) during World War II. She was named after the Lictor ("Littorio" in Italian), in ancient times the bearer of the Roman fasces, which was adopted as the symbol of Italian Fascism. Littorio and her sister Vittorio Veneto were built in response to the French battleships Dunkerque and Strasbourg. They were Italy's first modern battleships, and the first 35,000-ton capital ships of any nation to be laid down under the terms of the Washington Naval Treaty. Littorio was laid down in October 1934, launched in August 1937, and completed in May 1940.
Shortly after her commissioning, Littorio was badly damaged during the British air raid on Taranto on 11 November 1940, which put her out of action until the following March. Littorio thereafter took part in several sorties to catch the British Mediterranean Fleet, most of which failed to result in any action, the notable exception being the Second Battle of Sirte in March 1942, where she damaged several British warships. Littorio was renamed Italia in July 1943 after the fall of the Fascist government. On 9 September 1943, the Italian fleet was attacked by German bombers while it was on its way to internment. During this action, which saw the destruction of her sister Roma, Italia herself was hit by a Fritz X radio-controlled bomb, causing significant damage to her bow. As part of the armistice agreement, Italia was interned at Malta, Alexandria, and finally in the Great Bitter Lake in the Suez Canal, where she remained until 1947. Italia was awarded to the United States as a war prize and scrapped at La Spezia in 1952–54.
Littorio-class battleship
Line-drawing of the Littorio class
Littorio and her sister Vittorio Veneto were designed in response to the French Dunkerque-class battleships.[2] Littorio was 237.76 meters (780.1 ft) long overall, had a beam of 32.82 m (107.7 ft) and a draft of 9.6 m (31 ft). She was designed with a standard displacement of 40,724 long tons (41,377 t), a violation of the 35,000-long-ton (36,000 t) restriction of the Washington Naval Treaty; at full combat loading, she displaced 45,236 long tons (45,962 t). The ship was powered by four Belluzo geared steam turbines rated at 128,000 shaft horsepower (95,000 kW). Steam was provided by eight oil-fired Yarrow boilers. The engines provided a top speed of 30 knots (56 km/h; 35 mph) and a range of 3,920 mi (6,310 km; 3,410 nmi) at 20 kn (37 km/h; 23 mph). Littorio had a crew of 1,830 to 1,950 over the course of her career.[3][4]
Littorio's main armament consisted of nine 381-millimeter (15.0 in) 50-caliber Model 1934 guns in three triple turrets; two turrets were placed forward in a superfiring arrangement and the third was located aft. Her secondary anti-surface armament consisted of twelve 152 mm (6.0 in) /55 Model 1934/35 guns in four triple turrets amidships. These were supplemented by four 120 mm (4.7 in) /40 Model 1891/92 guns in single mounts; these guns were old weapons and were primarily intended to fire star shells. Littorio was equipped with an anti-aircraft battery that comprised twelve 90 mm (3.5 in) /50 Model 1938 guns in single mounts, twenty 37 mm (1.5 in)/54 /54 guns in eight twin and four single mounts, and sixteen 20 mm (0.79 in) /65 guns in eight twin mounts.[5] A further twelve 20 mm guns in twin mounts were installed in 1942. She received an EC 3 bis radar set in August 1941, an updated version in April 1942—which proved to be unsuccessful in service—and finally the EC 3 ter model in September 1942.[6]
The ship was protected by a main armored belt that was 280 mm (11 in) thick with a second layer of steel that was 70 mm (2.8 in) thick. The main deck was 162 mm (6.4 in) thick in the central area of the ship and reduced to 45 mm (1.8 in) in less critical areas. The main battery turrets were 350 mm (14 in) thick and the lower turret structure was housed in barbettes that were also 350 mm thick. The secondary turrets had 280 mm thick faces and the conning tower had 260 mm (10 in) thick sides.[4] Littorio was fitted with a catapult on her stern and equipped with three IMAM Ro.43 reconnaissance float planes or Reggiane Re.2000 fighters.[7]
Service history
Littorio was laid down at the Ansaldo shipyards in Genoa on 28 October 1934 to commemorate the Fascist Party's March on Rome in 1922. Her sister Vittorio Veneto was laid down the same day.[8] Changes to the design and a lack of armor plating led to delays in the building schedule, causing a three-month slip in the launch date from the original plan of May 1937. Littorio was launched on 22 August 1937, during a ceremony attended by many Italian dignitaries. She was sponsored by Signora Teresa Ballerino Cabella, the wife on an Ansaldo employee.[9] After her launch, the fitting out period lasted until early 1940. During this time, Littorio's bow was modified to lessen vibration and reduce wetness over the bow. Littorio ran a series of sea trials over a period of two months between 23 October 1939 and 21 December 1939. She was commissioned on 6 May 1940, and after running additional trials that month, she transferred to Taranto where she—along with Vittorio Veneto—joined the 9th Division under the command of Rear Admiral Carlo Bergamini.[10]
On 31 August – 2 September 1940, Littorio sortied as part of an Italian force of five battleships, ten cruisers, and thirty-four destroyers to intercept British naval forces taking part in Operation Hats and Convoy MB.3, but contact was not made with either group due to poor reconnaissance and no action occurred.[6][11] A similar outcome resulted from the movement against British Operation "MB.5" on 29 September - 1 October; Littorio, four other battleships, eleven cruisers, and twenty-three destroyers had attempted to intercept the convoy carrying troops to Malta.[6][12]
Attack on Taranto
Battle of Taranto
On the night of 10–11 November, the British Mediterranean Fleet launched an air raid on the harbor in Taranto. Twenty-one Swordfish torpedo bombers launched from the aircraft carrier HMS Illustrious attacked the Italian fleet in two waves.[13] The Italian base was defended by twenty-one 90 mm anti-aircraft guns and dozens of smaller 37 mm and 20 mm guns, along with twenty-seven barrage balloons. The defenders did not possess radar, however, and so were caught by surprise when the Swordfishes arrived. Littorio and the other battleships were also not provided with sufficient anti-torpedo nets. The first wave struck at 20:35, followed by the second about an hour later.[14]
Damaged Littorio
The planes scored three hits on Littorio, one hit on Caio Duilio, and one on Conte di Cavour.[13] Of the torpedoes that struck Littorio, two hit in the bow and one struck the stern; the stern hit destroyed the rudder and shock from the explosion damaged the ship's steering gear. The two forward hits caused major flooding and led her to settle by the bows, with her decks awash up to her main battery turrets. She could not be brought into dock until 11 December due to a fourth, unexploded torpedo discovered under her keel; removing the torpedo proved to be a painstaking task, as any shift in the magnetic field around the torpedo might detonate its magnetic detonator.[15] Repairs lasted until 11 March 1941.[16]
Convoy operations
After repairs were completed, Littorio participated in an unsuccessful sortie to intercept British forces on 22–25 August. A month later, she led the attack on the Allied convoy in Operation Halberd on 27 September 1941.[16] The British force escorting the convoy included the battleships Rodney, Nelson, and Prince of Wales; Italian reconnaissance reported the presence of a powerful escort, and the Italian commander, under orders not to engage unless he possessed a strong numerical superiority, broke off the operation and returned to port.[17] On 13 December, she participated in another sweep to catch a convoy to Malta, but the attempt was broken off after Vittorio Veneto was torpedoed by a British submarine. Three days later, she steamed out to escort Operation M42, a supply convoy to Italian and German forces in North Africa.[16] By late 1941, British success at breaking the Enigma code made it increasingly difficult for Axis convoys to reach North Africa. The Italians therefore committed their battle fleet to the convoy effort to better protect the transports.[17] The next day, she took part in the First Battle of Sirte. Littorio, along with the rest of the distant covering force, engaged the escort of a British convoy heading for Malta that happened to run into the M42 convoy late in the day.[16] Littorio opened fire at extreme range, around 35,000 yards (32,000 m), but she scored no hits. Nevertheless, the heavy Italian fire forced the British force to withdraw under cover of a smokescreen and the M42 convoy reached North Africa without damage.[18][19]
On 3 January 1942, Littorio was again tasked with convoy escort, in support of Operation M43; she was back in port by 6 January. On 22 March, she participated in the Second Battle of Sirte, as the flagship for an Italian force attempting to destroy a British convoy bound for Malta.[16] After the fall of darkness, several British destroyers made a close-range attack on Littorio, but heavy fire from her main and secondary guns forced the destroyers to retreat.[20] As the destroyers withdrew, one of them hit Littorio with a single 4.7-inch (120 mm) shell, which caused minor damage to the ship's fantail.[21] During the battle, Littorio hit and seriously damaged the destroyers HMS Havock and Kingston. She also hit the cruiser Euryalus but did not inflict significant damage. Kingston returned to Malta for repairs, where she was later destroyed during a bombing raid.[22] Muzzle blast from Littorio's rear turret set one of her floatplanes on fire, though no serious damage to the ship resulted.[20] She fired a total of 181 shells from her main battery in the course of the engagement. Though the Italian fleet was unable to directly attack the convoy, it forced the transports to scatter and many were sunk the next day by air attack.[23]
Three months later, on 14 June, Littorio participated in the interception of the Operation Vigorous convoy to Malta from Alexandria. Littorio, Vittorio Veneto, four cruisers and twelve destroyers were sent to attack the convoy.[24] The British quickly located the approaching Italian fleet and launched several night air strikes in an attempt to prevent them from reaching the convoy, though the aircraft scored no hits.[25] While searching for the convoy the next day, Littorio was hit by a bomb dropped by a B-24 Liberator; the bomb hit the roof of turret no. 1 but caused negligible damage to the rangefinder hood and barbette, along with splinter damage to the deck. The turret nevertheless remained serviceable and Littorio remained with the fleet. The threat from Littorio and Vittorio Veneto forced the British convoy to abort the mission.[24][26] At 14:00, the Italians broke off the chase and returned to port; shortly before midnight that evening, Littorio was struck by a torpedo dropped by a British Wellington bomber, causing some 1,500 long tons (1,500 t) of water to flood the ship's bow. Her crew counter-flooded 350 long tons (360 t) of water to correct the list.[27] The ship was able to return to port for repairs, that lasted until 27 August.[27][24][26] She remained in Taranto until 12 December, when the fleet was moved to La Spezia.[26]
Fate
Littorio was inactive for the first six months of 1943 due to severe fuel shortages in the Italian Navy.[28] Only enough fuel was available for Littorio, Vittorio Veneto and their recently commissioned sister Roma, but even then the fuel was only enough for emergencies.[29] On 19 June 1943, an American bombing raid targeted the harbor at La Spezia and hit Littorio with three bombs. She was renamed Italia on 30 July after the government of Benito Mussolini fell from power. On 3 September, Italy signed an armistice with the Allies, ending her active participation in World War II. Six days later, Italia and the rest of the Italian fleet sailed for Malta, where they would be interned for the remainder of the war. While en route, the German Luftwaffe (Air Force) attacked the Italian fleet using Dornier Do 217s armed with Fritz X radio-controlled bombs. One Fritz X hit Italia just forward of turret no. 1; it passed through the ship and exited the hull, exploding in the water beneath and causing serious damage. Roma was meanwhile sunk in the attack.[26][30]
Italia and Vittorio Veneto were then moved, first to Alexandria, Egypt, and then to the Great Bitter Lake in the Suez Canal in Egypt on 14 September; they remained there until the end of the war. On 5 February 1947, Italia was finally permitted to return to Italy. In the Treaty of Peace with Italy, signed five days later on 10 February, Italia was allocated as a war prize to the United States. She was stricken from the naval register on 1 June 1948 and broken up for scrap at La Spezia.[31]
'No Man is an Island'
No man is an island entire of itself; every man
is a piece of the continent, a part of the main;
if a clod be washed away by the sea, Europe
is the less, as well as if a promontory were, as
well as any manner of thy friends or of thine
own were; any man's death diminishes me,
because I am involved in mankind.
And therefore never send to know for whom
the bell tolls; it tolls for thee.
“Nessun Uomo è un'Isola”
Nessun uomo è un’isola, completo in se stesso; ogni uomo è un pezzo del continente, una parte del tutto. Se anche solo una zolla venisse lavata via dal mare, l’Europa ne sarebbe diminuita, come se le mancasse un promontorio, come se venisse a mancare una dimora di amici tuoi, o la tua stessa casa. La morte di qualsiasi uomo mi sminuisce, perché io sono parte dell’umanità. E dunque non chiedere mai per chi suona la campana: suona per te».
John Donne
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Chronicles report that in Italy the epidemic caused by the "new flu" began on January 31, 2020, when two tourists from China tested positive for the new coronavirus, subsequently an infectious outbreak of covid-19 was confirmed on 21 February 2020 in Codogno in Lombardy with 16 cases, increased the day after to 60 cases, with the first deaths occurring in those days (but the presence of cases occurred elsewhere and on earlier dates is not excluded, due to the initial difficulty in recognizing a "virus new and unknown "). The infectious epicenter had been identified in the wet market of the city of Wuhan, located in the center of China: on December 31, 2019 the Whuan Health Commission reported to the WHO of cases of pneumonia of unknown etiology (city that was quarantined on 23 January 2020, which was followed shortly after the quarantine of the entire province of Hubei), on 9 January 2020 the Chinese scientific committee reported that a new coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) had been identified as the causative agent of the infectious pathology, then called Covid-19. In Italy, from the identification of "red areas" at high risk of contagion in Lombardy and Veneto, it wasn't long before Italy was declared a risk zone. The hospitals, with the doctors, nurses, health workers, were all busy dealing with the new emergency: first aid, infectious disease wards, resuscitations, supported by 118 service and law enforcement agencies; the fear on the part of those who were (and are) called to provide assistance, was that of becoming infected and becoming the "greasers" of the new virus towards others, towards their family members. Every day the media viewed the images of military vehicles with dismay, which lined up carrying numerous coffins of innocent victims who died of coronavirus from the hospital in Bergamo. On March 11, 2020, the WHO declared that there was talk of a pandemic now, the infection had now acquired a worldwide spread.
News not long appeared in the media, is the theory put forward by the immunologist Antonio Giordano, an Italian scientist transplanted to the USA, who says that southern Italy was less subject to epidemic violence than the north of Italy, because it, the south, it would be protected by a "genetic shield" for an interaction that took place during the evolution of DNA in relation to the external environment. Not wanting to bother the various theories that attempt to explain the epidemiological differences that have been found between northern and southern Italy, one thing is certain in Sicily: the various great terrible epidemics in Sicily have left indelible traces in the relationship of the Sicilians with the their Saints, entities invoked "as a shield" to protect from the worries of life.
San Sebastiano (together with San Rocco), is carried in procession in numerous Sicilian feasts; He was invoked to protect against the plague (and all contagious diseases) as early as 1575, the year in which the plague raged in Sicily.
Santa Rosalia on 9 June 1625 was carried in procession, her mortal remains accompanied by the song "Te Deum Laudamus", while they passed in the lazaretto quarters of Palermo, they operated the instantaneous healing of the sick poor under the eyes of those present, so that the infection stopped (since then she became the patron saint of Palermo).
In the Sicilian town of Castroreale, "u Signuri Longu" (the tall Christ), is a life-size wooden statue hoisted on a pole about 14 meters high, this Crucifix is carried in procession and is invoked because considered miraculous, having saved the Mrs. Giuseppina Vadalà of Castroreale from certain death: now dying, she was miraculously healed at the passage of the Sacred Crucifix (we are in the year 1854, the cholera epidemic in Messina killed about 30,000 people in the short two-month period).
This photo-story of mine was made in Sicily after the partial reopening of May 18: I dedicate it to the Chinese doctor Li Wenliang, who died on February 7, 2020 in Wuhan, for having tried to fight against the new coronavirus, and of which he was trying to throw a cry of alarm.
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Le cronache riportano che in in Italia l’epidemia causata dalla “nuova influenza” ha avuto inizio il 31 gennaio 2020, quando due turisti provenienti dalla Cina sono risultati positivi al nuovo coronavirus, successivamente un focolaio infettivo di covid-19 è stato confermato il 21 febbraio 2020 a Codogno in Lombardia con 16 casi, aumentati il giorno dopo a 60 casi, coi primi decessi avvenuti in quei giorni (ma non è escludersi la presenza di casi avvenuti altrove ed in date antecedenti, causa la difficoltà iniziale a riconoscere un “virus nuovo e sconosciuto”). L’epicentro infettivo era stato individuato nel mercato umido della città di Wuhan, situata nel centro della Cina: il 31 dicembre 2019 la Commissione Sanitaria di Whuan segnalò all’OMS dei casi di polmonite ad eziologia ignota (città che fu messa in quarantena il 23 gennaio 2020, alla quale fece seguito poco dopo la quarantena dell’intera provincia di Hubei), il 9 gennaio 2020 il comitato scientifico Cinese riferì che era stato identificato un nuovo coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) quale agente causale della patologia infettiva, poi chiamata Covid-19. In Italia, dalla individuazione di “zone rosse” ad alto rischio di contagio in Lombardia ed in Veneto, non passò molto tempo che l’Italia tutta fu dichiarata zona a rischio. Gli ospedali, con i medici, gli infermieri, gli operatori sanitari, furono tutti impegnati a fronteggiare la nuova emergenza: in prima linea i pronto soccorso, i reparti di malattie infettive, le rianimazioni, supportati dal servizio 118 e dalla forze dell’ordine; il timore da parte di coloro che erano (e sono) chiamati a prestare assistenza, era quello di essere infettati e diventare gli “untori” del nuovo virus verso gli altri, verso i propri familiari. Sui media ogni giorno si osservavano con sgomento le immagini di mezzi militari che, in fila, trasportavano numerosi le bare di vittime innocenti decedute a cause del coronavirus, provenienti dall’ospedale di Bergamo. L’11 marzo 2020 l’OMS dichiarò che oramai si parlava di pandemia, l’infezione aveva acquistato oramai una diffusione a carattere mondiale.
Notizia non da molto apparsa sui media, è la teoria avanzata dall’immunologo Antonio Giordano, scienziato italiano trapiantato negli USA, che afferma che il meridione d’Italia è stato meno soggetto alla violenza epidemica rispetto al settentrione d’Italia, perché esso, il meridione, sarebbe come protetto da uno “scudo genetico” per una interazione avvenuta nel corso dell’evoluzione del DNA in rapporto con l’ambiente esterno. Non volendo scomodare le varie teorie che tentano di spiegare le differenza epidemiologiche che si sono riscontrate tra il nord ed il sud Italia, in Sicilia una cosa è certa: le varie grandi terribili epidemia avutesi in Sicilia, hanno lasciato tracce indelebili nel rapporto dei Siciliani coi loro Santi, entità queste invocate “come scudo” a protezione dagli affanni della vita.
San Sebastiano (insieme a San Rocco), viene portato in processione in numerose feste Siciliane; Egli venne invocato a protezione contro la peste (e di tutte le malattie contagiose) fin dall’anno 1575, anno in cui in Sicilia infuriò la peste.
Santa Rosalia il 9 giugno 1625 venne portata in processione, le sue spoglie mortali accompagnate dal canto “Te Deum Laudamus”, mentre passavano nei quartieri lazzaretto di Palermo, operavano la guarigione istantanea dei poveri malati sotto gli occhi dei presenti, cosicchè il contagio si arrestò (da allora divenne la Santa Patrona di Palermo).
Nella cittadina Siciliana di Castroreale, “u Signuri Longu” (il Cristo alto), è una statua lignea a grandezza naturale issata su di un palo alto circa 14 metri, tale Crocifisso viene portato in processione ed è invocato perché considerato miracoloso, avendo salvato la signora Giuseppina Vadalà di Castroreale da morte certa: oramai moribonda, fu miracolosamente guarita al passaggio del Sacro Crocifisso (siamo nell’anno 1854, l’epidemia di colera a Messina uccise circa 30.000 persone del breve periodo di due mesi).
Questo mio foto-racconto è stato realizzato in Sicilia dopo la parziale riapertura del 18 maggio: lo dedico al medico Cinese Li Wenliang, morto il 7 febbraio 2020 a Wuhan, per aver cercato di combattere contro il nuovo coronavirus, e del quale tentava di gettare un grido di allarme.
---- looking for Lady Florence .... ----
(exposure realized from the public garden of Taormina. On background the volcano Etna) ... Farewell sweet Lady, they have taken off your roots, but you were able to make reborn other roots, you have given birth to a child just long enough to cry for him, , the fate you stole him, thou hast not locked up inside your pain but you six open to others, maybe someone not knowing you thought that you were a little weird, but it does not matter ... you suffered a lot and you knew how to love so much .....
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(esposizione realizzata dal giardino pubblico di Taormina. Sullo sfondo il vulcano Etna) ... Addio dolce Signora, ti hanno strappata dalle tue radici, ma tu hai saputo farne rinascere altre, hai dato alla luce un bimbo giusto il tempo di piangere per lui, il destino te l'ha tolto, non ti sei rinchiusa nel tuo dolore ma ti sei aperta agli altri, magari qualcuno, non conoscendoti ... pensava che tu fossi un pò bislacca, ma non importa... hai sofferto molto ed hai saputo amare molto .....
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This is a short and long collection of photographs, almost all made in Taormina (Sicily), and is divided into two parts: the first part I have included a few pictures, I put a few moments I catched in the alleys of the small Sicilian town, in the second part (the first to appear on Flickr) in which I tried to rebuild and at the same time to remember the singular feminine figure of Lady Florence Trevelyan, an English noblewoman, lover of art, botany, ornithology, travels, the arts magical and esoteric; she loved animals, but actively helped a lot of people; Taormina is to her that owes much of its luck; this Lady, hosting famous people of the time, contributed not a little to make known the beauty of this Sicilian village to the whole world (and she improved and embellished much Taormina).
Lady Florence was born in Hallington On February 7, 1852, but soon became an orphan at the age of two years (his father committed suicide in 1854); his mother Catherine Anne was the maid of honor of Queen Victoria: the Queen which became attached enormously to Florence, and the Queen loved her like a true daughter. Florence at age 27, in 1879 was forced to leave everything to face a long journey lasting more than two years (Lady Florence fell prey to the notorius charms of the future Edward VII, who was already married; this sort of thing never went over well with Victoria, so Florence was asked to leave England). Lady Florence returned to his homeland for a short period, to be again driven out for an exiled perennial: She never returned to England (though, a generous monthly annuity was given hers on the orders of the Queen Victoria). Florence traveled widely, reached India, went to Burma, arrived in Australia she performed as a singer, and then finally arrive in February 1884 in Taormina: here you will stay until the end of his life (she died October 4, 1907 ). At Taormina she met the then mayor, the rich prof. Salvatore Cacciola, doctor, passionate student and Grand Master of Freemasonry: it is said that Lady Florence fell in love when she sought his help to cure "Sun", one of his dogs; from here to their wedding was a short step.
Lady florence bought several lots of land, created the current Public Garden of Taormina, planted olive trees, cypresses, exotic trees, and built those features buildings in oriental style; She bought by the former mayor the "Isola Bella" (She built an house and She planted trees and exotic plants, Mediterranean pines, as well as the inevitable cypress); She bought many arid and barren lands around Taormina (Mount Venus, Monte Croce, Monte Porretta) and they become rich in vegetation, with many farmers she had taught the art of the English garden. Many people went knocking to her door, in financial difficulties, usually farmers and fishermen (also Oscar Wilde, disgraced by charges of homosexuality, received financial aid from Lady Florence), She made a major sewing school for young girls of Taormina, and instituted for their 87 wedding dowries. Fate was once again mocking her: the only child she had named Edward, died in childbirth. It was in use at the time, bathing in bathtubs filled with cold water of the sea (even the photographer Von Gloeden was addicted to this habit), but this proved fatal, Lady Florence died of pneumonia at the age of 55. For her express wish, She was buried in a district of Castelmola (accompanied by large numbers of Sicilian people, it tells of an endless line, to the sound of "ciaramelle", which reminded her bagpipes of her distant Scotland), district called "Francisi" in her memory (this term according to a medieval custom). In her will, Lady Florence forced heirs not to hunt in his vast possessions, not to build, and to accept and to help dogs and birds. Lady Florence was the first woman (not only in Sicily) to be allowed to be part of Freemasonry.
The writer Guido Gozzano, was inspired by Lady Florence, when he wrote the novel "Alcina".
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Questa è una raccolta di fotografie breve e lunga, quasi tutte realizzate a Taormina (Sicilia), raccolta che ho diviso in due parti: nella prima parte ho inserito alcuni ritratti, ho messo alcuni momenti colti nei vicoli del piccolo paese Siciliano, nella seconda parte (la prima ad apparire su Flickr) ho tentato di ricostruire, ed al contempo ricordare, la singolarissima figura di Lady Florence Trevelyan, una nobildonna Inglese amante dell'arte, della botanica, della ornitologia, dei viaggi, delle arti magiche ed esoteriche; lei, che fu una convinta animalista ante litteram, non si limitò ad amare solo gli animali, ma aiutò fattivamente persone di ogni ceto sociale, ebbe ricchezze ma al tempo stesso pagò prezzi altissimi in sofferenza e dolore: Taormina deve a lei molta della sua fortuna, poichè questa Lady, ospitando nei suoi possedimenti illustri e famosi personaggi dell'epoca, contribuì non poco a far conoscere al mondo intero le bellezze di questo paesino Siculo (ella stessa migliorò ed abbellì ancor più Taormina).
Lady Florence nacque in quel di Hallington il 7 febbraio del 1852, divenne ben presto orfana all'età di due anni ( il padre morì suicida nel 1854); sua mamma Catherine Anne era la dama di compagnia della regina Vittoria, la quale regina si affezionò enormemente a Florence, sì da amarla come una vera figlia. All'età di 27 anni, nel 1879 venne imposto a Florence di lasciare l'Inghilterra per affrontare un lungo viaggio, che sarà della durata di più di due anni (si ipotizza per farle dimenticare una relazione che non sarebbe mai dovuta accadere, col figlio della regina Vittoria, il futuro re Edoardo VII, che a quel tempo era già sposato; sembra che non sia stata affatto la gelosia della moglie di Edoardo, bensì la rigidità della madre Vittoria a decretarne l'esilio). Lady Florence dopo questo primo viaggio ritornò nella sua Inghilterra, ma vi restò ben poco, infatti dopo un brevissimo periodo Lady Florence venne nuovamente allontanata in esilio, e questa volta lo sarà per sempre: Florence non ritornerà mai più nella sua Inghilterra (un generoso vitalizio mensile le fu dato comunque su ordine della stessa Regina Vittoria, ovvio che ciò le fu indispensabile, essendo così lontana da casa). Florence viaggiò molto, raggiunse l'India, andò in Birmania, giunta in Australia si esibì come cantante, per poi infine giungere nel febbraio del 1884 a Taormina: qui vi resterà fino all'ultimo dei suoi giorni (lei morirà il 4 ottobre 1907). A Taormina ebbe modo di conoscere l'allora sindaco, il ricco prof. Salvatore Cacciola, medico, appassionato studioso e Gran Maestro della Massoneria: si racconta che Lady Florence se ne innamorò quando lei cercò l'aiuto del medico per curare "Sole", uno dei suoi cani; da qui al loro matrimonio, il passo fu breve.
Lady florence acquistò numerosi lotti di terreno, realizzò l'attuale Giardino Pubblico, vi piantò ulivi, cipressi, alberi esotici, costruì quelle caratteristiche costruzioni in stile birmano-orientale; acquistò dall'ex sindaco L'Isola Bella (vi costruì una casetta, e l'Isola, che altro non era che un ammasso brullo di scogli, divenne rigogliosa come la vediamo oggi, vi piantò alberi e piante esotiche, pini mediterranei, nonchè gli immancabili cipressi, così presenti in quasi tutta la cittadina); acquistò numerosi terreni intorno a Taormina (Monte Venere, Monte Croce, Monte Porretta) sicchè da aridi e brulli che erano, li fece diventare ricchi di vegetazione (infatti aveva al soldo numerosi contadini ai quali aveva insegnato l'arte del giardino all'Inglese). Alla sua porta andarono a bussare numerose persone in difficoltà economiche, in genere contadini e pescatori, mai fu chiusa loro la porta... (anche Oscar Wilde, caduto in disgrazia per l'accusa di omosessualità, ricevette un aiuto finanziario dalla Lady); realizzò una importante scuola di cucito per le giovanette di Taormina, dando loro la possibilità di potersi mantenere da sole; istituì 87 doti di matrimonio per le ragazze Taorminesi (all'epoca una ragazza senza dote non aveva molte possibilità di formarsi una famiglia). Il destino infine fu ancora una volta beffardo con lei: l'unico figlio che lei ebbe, di nome Edoardo, morì durante il parto, il padre era un medico, tentò di rianimarlo, ma non ci fu nulla da fare. Era in uso all'epoca, fare bagni nelle vasche da bagno ricolme di acqua gelata di mare (anche il fotografo Von Gloeden era dedito a tale usanza, ma lui usava immergersi in acqua di mare calda, riuscendo a trovare in questa forma di talassoterapia una cura per la tisi, della quale era affetto): questa usanza fu fatale a Lady Florence, che morì di broncopolmonite a 55 anni di età. Per suo esplicito desiderio, la Trevelyan fu seppellita in una contrada di Castelmola (accompagnata da tantissima gente del luogo, si racconta di una fila interminabile di persone, al suono delle zampogne, che le ricordavano le cornamuse della sua lontana Scozia); la contrada dove fu seppellita (in quella la Lady aveva un'altra dimora), fu chiamata "Francisi" in sua memoria (tale termine indicava, secondo una usanza medioevale, una generica provenienza straniera, qualinque essa fosse). Nel suo testamento Lady Florence obbligò gli eredi a non cacciare nei suoi vasti possedimenti, a non costruire, ad accogliere e curare cani ed uccellini. Lady Florence fu la prima donna ad essere ammessa a fare parte della massoneria. Importò in Sicilia les tableaux vivants (i quadri viventi) e anche le sfilate dei carri in fiori a Palermo. Lo scrittore Guido Gozzano scrisse il romanzo "Alcina" ispirandosi a Lei.
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© all rights reserved - (Photo protection system: Iso-mark)
Ph.: A. Del Papa - Fermo
Courtesy of Serena Vitali - Ascoli Piceno
Info sulla foto:
positiva su cartoncino
dimensioni: 9x15cm
stato di conservazione: buono
Per sfogliare le foto:
Tremiladuecento anni di storia in un solo sguardo.
L’Anaktoron, il palazzo del principe o secondo quanto tramandato dalle popolazioni locali il palazzo della signora, risalente al 1200-1000 a.c., costruzione principale di quella che verosimilmente era la mitica Hybla; ed a pochi chilometri in linea retta il paese di Sortino.
Questa visione mozzafiato mi si è mostrata l’altro ieri all’improvviso, dopo aver percorso e risalito i canyon (cave) sede degli insediamenti rupestri e delle necropoli di Pantalica. Una camminata, anche questa, di impatto difficilmente descrivibile: in un silenzio saturo di profumi di erbe selvatiche, rotto solo dal vento e dai passi di qualche raro attonito turista, percorrere gli stessi sentieri e calpestare le stesse pietre su cui dall’età del bronzo sino al medioevo popolazioni diverse e per lo più pacifiche ed inermi, hanno camminato, vissuto, pregato, sono morte e sono state sepolte, é un’esperienza del numinosum di “terribile” bellezza.
Un pò come nella foto, é come se il tempo cronologico d’improvviso si curvasse per dilatarsi, o congelarsi, in una “istantanea”: una “microesperienza” di eterno.
Suggestioni magari, certo.
Ma questo auguro a me stesso ed ai miei amici: farne almeno qualcuna di queste esperienze di disvelamento e ri-velazione, nell’anno che viene, ed in quelli che verrano ancora.
Non é necessaria la cravatta, non servono i tacchi, non è previsto biglietto d’ingresso, non servono botti e fuochi d’artificio.
E non é probabile che arrivino per appuntamento, in un giorno prefissato.
Twenty-two hundred years of history in a single glance.
The Anaktoron, the palace of the prince or as handed down by the local populations the palace of the lady, dating back to 1200-1000 a.c., main construction of what was probably the mythical Hybla; and a few kilometers in a straight line the village of Sortino.
This breathtaking vision was shown to me the other day all of a sudden, after having traveled and climbed the canyons (caves) home to the rock settlements and the necropolis of Pantalica. A walk, even this one, of impact hardly describable: in a silence saturated with scents of wild herbs, broken only by the wind and by the steps of some rare astonished tourist, to walk the same paths and tread the same stones on which, from the Bronze Age until the Middle Ages, different populations walked, lived, prayed, died and were buried, it is an experience of the numinosum of "terrible" beauty.
A bit like in the picture, it is as if the chronological time suddenly curved to expand, or freeze, in a "snapshot": a "micro experience" of eternity.
Suggestions maybe, of course.
But this I wish to myself and my friends: to do at least some of these experiences of unveiling and re-veiling, in the year that comes, and in those that will come again.
No tie is required, no heels are needed, no entrance ticket is required, no fireworks are expected.
And they are not likely to arrive by appointment, on a fixed day.
Veintidóscientos años de historia en una sola mirada.
El Anaktoron, el palacio del príncipe o según lo transmitido por las poblaciones locales el palacio de la dama, que data de 1200-1000 a.c., construcción principal de lo que probablemente fue la mítica Hybla; y unos pocos kilómetros en línea recta el pueblo de Sortino.
Esta visión impresionante me fue mostrada el otro día de repente, después de haber viajado y escalado los cañones (cuevas) que albergaban los asentamientos de rocas y la necrópolis de Pantalica. Un paseo, incluso este, de impacto apenas descripto: en un silencio saturado de aromas de hierbas silvestres, rotas solo por el viento y por los pasos de algún extraño atónito turista, recorre los mismos caminos y pisotea las mismas piedras de la Edad del Bronce hasta la Edad Media, diferentes poblaciones y en su mayoría pacíficos y desarmados, caminaron, vivieron, rezaron, murieron y fueron sepultados, es una experiencia del numinosum de belleza "terrible".
Un poco como en la imagen, es como si el tiempo cronológico de repente se curvara para expandirse, o congelarse, en una "instantánea": una "micro experiencia" de la eternidad.
Sugerencias, tal vez, por supuesto.
Pero esto me gustaría a mí mismo y a mis amigos: hacer al menos algunas de estas experiencias de desvelar y volver a velar, en el año que viene, y en aquellos que vendrán de nuevo.
No se requiere atadura, no se necesitan tacones, no se requiere boleto de entrada, no se requieren barriles y fuegos artificiales.
Y no es probable que lleguen con cita previa, en un día fijo.
Zweiundzwanzig hundert Jahre Geschichte auf einen Blick.
Der Anaktoron, der Fürstenpalast oder wie von der lokalen Bevölkerung des Palast Dame, aus dem Jahr 1200-1000 A. C., die Hauptkonstruktion von dem, was war wohl die mythische Hybla liefert; und ein paar Kilometer in einer geraden Linie das Dorf Sortino.
Diese erstaunliche Vision Ich war am Tag vor gestern plötzlich gezeigt, nach der Schlucht Weg und (Hohl-) Sitz der Felssiedlungen und Nekropole von Pantalica geklettert zu haben. Ein Spaziergang, diese, die Auswirkungen schwer zu beschreiben: eine gesättigte Stille Duft von Wildkräutern, gebrochen nur durch den Wind und durch die Schritte einiger seltenen erstaunten Touristen, die gleichen Wege gehen und auf den Steinen Schritt, auf das die Bronzezeit bis zum Mittelalter verschiedene Völker und meist friedlich und unbewaffnet, sie gingen, lebten, beteten, starben und wurden begraben, es ist eine Erfahrung des Numinosums von "schrecklicher" Schönheit.
Ein bisschen wie auf dem Bild ist es so, als ob die chronologische Zeit plötzlich gekrümmt wäre, um in einem "Schnappschuss" zu expandieren oder einzufrieren: eine "Mikroerfahrung" der Ewigkeit.
Vorschläge vielleicht, natürlich.
Aber das wünsche ich mir und meinen Freunden: zumindest einige dieser Erfahrungen der Entschleierung und Wiederverschleierung zu machen, in dem Jahr, das kommt und in denen, die wieder kommen werden.
Es wird keine Krawatte benötigt, keine Absätze werden benötigt, keine Eintrittskarte ist erforderlich, keine Fässer und Feuerwerkskörper sind erforderlich.
Und sie werden wahrscheinlich nicht an einem festen Tag nach Vereinbarung ankommen.
Even in your arms I know
I'll never get it right
Even when you bend to give me
Comfort in the night
I've got to have your word on this
Or none of it is true
And all I've said was just instead of
Coming back to you
I giorni scorsi la signora Lina stava facendo il giretto quotidiano "per non invecchiare prima del tempo" , diceva lei. Probabilmente a causa della disidratazione era caduta e, pur non avendo riportato conseguenze, l'altro giorno se n'era andata.
La Lina, di origini pugliesi, aveva studiato al Conservatorio di Milano e poi era emigrata col marito negli USA. Una vita lunga di lavoro, figli, nipoti, pronipoti ...
Ancora a questa età curava da sola il suo abbigliamento e sceglieva le sue amicizie! Una donna incredibile che sapeva intrattenere i suoi ospiti senza annoiarli mai.
Sabato (25/8/2012) ci saranno i funerali a Los Angeles ed io desidero ricordarla da Milano a tutti gli amici.
CIAO LINA!!!
Sagra del Fuoco - Recco edizione 2023.
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Festa della Madonna del Suffragio
I festeggiamenti nascono in onore di Nostra Signora del Suffragio, Patrona e Protettrice di Recco. La festa è organizzata dai 7 Quartieri di Recco, Bastia, Collodari, Liceto, Ponte, San Martino, Spiaggia e Verzemma che si sfidano in una due giorni di spettacoli pirotecnici di altissimo livello.
Sito ufficiale:
www.sagradelfuoco.it/index.php?option=com_content&vie...
Qui una immagine dello spettacolo pirotecnico offerto dal Quartiere Ponte dal molo di ponente. Curato da Carmine Lieto - Visciano (NA) - Giovedi 7 settembre 2023
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Feast of the Madonna del Suffragio
The celebrations are born in honor of Our Lady of Suffrage, Patron and Protector of Recco. The party is organized by the 7 districts of Recco, Bastia, Collodari, Liceto, Ponte, San Martino, Spiaggia and Verzemma who compete in two days of top-level fireworks shows.
official website:
www.sagradelfuoco.it/index.php?option=com_content&vie...
Here is an image of the fireworks show offered by the Ponte District from the western pier. Curated by Carmine Lieto - Visciano (NA) - Thursday 7 September 2023
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1440/1442
Santuario (Sv)
Coro
Santuario di Nostra Signora di Misericordia
HDR 5 scatti
Fotocamera: Nikon D300s
Aperture: f/11
Shutter Speed: 8 s
Lente: 8 mm
ISO: 200
Exposure Bias: -0,33 EV
Flash: Off, Did not fire
Lens: Samyang Fisheye 8mm f3.5 APS-C
GPS Position: Nikon GP-1
Santuario di Nostra Signora delle Grazie.
In posizione spettacolare lungo la Via Aurelia, affacciato sulla scogliera a strapiombo sul mare, conserva un patrimonio artistico inestimabile.
Il complesso è composto di un ospitale per i pellegrini e di una prima più antica cappella, databili al XIII secolo, e della splendida chiesa ornata dagli affreschi di Teramo Piaggio e Luca Cambiaso, realizzati fra il 1539 e il 1550 e rappresentanti le Storie della vita della Vergine e della Passione di Cristo. La chiesa ospita la miracolosa statua lignea della Madonna, di manifattura fiamminga, portata al santuario nel 1416 da un capitano chiavarese, la cui nave rifiutò di staccarsi dal porto della città dove era in vendita la statua finché il capitano non provvide ad acquistarla.
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Sanctuary of Our Lady of Graces. In a spectacular position along the Via Aurelia, overlooking the cliff overlooking the sea, it preserves a priceless artistic heritage.
The complex is composed of a hospice for pilgrims and a first older chapel, dating back to the 13th century, and the splendid church decorated with frescoes by Teramo Piaggio and Luca Cambiaso, created between 1539 and 1550 and representing the Stories of Life of the Virgin and the Passion of Christ. The church houses the miraculous wooden statue of the Madonna, of Flemish manufacture, brought to the sanctuary in 1416 by a captain from Chiavari, whose ship refused to leave the city port where the statue was for sale until the captain purchased it.
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0105 -2
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Littorio
History
Italy
Name:Littorio
Namesake:The Lictor, a symbol of Italian Fascism[1]
Operator:Regia Marina
Ordered:10 June 1934
Builder:Ansaldo, Genova-Sestri Ponente
Laid down:28 October 1934
Launched:22 August 1937
Sponsored by:Signora Teresa Ballerino Cabella
Commissioned:6 May 1940
Decommissioned:1 June 1948
Renamed:Italia
Stricken:1 June 1948
Fate:Scrapped at La Spezia 1952–54
General characteristics
Class and type:Littorio-class battleship
Displacement:
Standard: 40,723 long tons (41,376 t)
Full load:45,237 long tons (45,963 t)
Length:237.76 m (780.1 ft)
Beam:32.82 m (107.7 ft)
Draft:9.6 m (31 ft)
Installed power:
8 × Yarrow boilers
128,000 shp (95,000 kW)
Propulsion:4 × steam turbines, 4 × shafts
Speed:30 kn (35 mph; 56 km/h)
Range:3,920 mi (6,310 km; 3,410 nmi) at 20 kn (37 km/h; 23 mph)
Complement:1,830 to 1,950
Sensors and
processing systems:EC 3 ter 'Gufo' radar
Armament:
3 × 3 381 mm (15.0 in)/50 cal guns
4 × 3 152 mm (6.0 in)/55 cal guns
4 × 1 120 mm (4.7 in)/40 guns for illumination
12 × 1 90 mm (3.5 in)/50 anti-aircraft guns
20 × 37 mm (1.5 in)/54 guns (8 × 2; 4 × 1)
10 × 2 20 mm (0.79 in)/65 guns
Armor:
Main belt: 350 mm (14 in)
Deck: 162 mm (6.4 in)
Turrets: 350 mm
Conning tower: 260 mm (10 in)
Aircraft carried:3 aircraft (IMAM Ro.43 or Reggiane Re.2000)
Aviation facilities:1 stern catapult
Littorio was the lead ship of her class of battleship; she served in the Italian Regia Marina (Royal Navy) during World War II. She was named after the Lictor ("Littorio" in Italian), in ancient times the bearer of the Roman fasces, which was adopted as the symbol of Italian Fascism. Littorio and her sister Vittorio Veneto were built in response to the French battleships Dunkerque and Strasbourg. They were Italy's first modern battleships, and the first 35,000-ton capital ships of any nation to be laid down under the terms of the Washington Naval Treaty. Littorio was laid down in October 1934, launched in August 1937, and completed in May 1940.
Shortly after her commissioning, Littorio was badly damaged during the British air raid on Taranto on 11 November 1940, which put her out of action until the following March. Littorio thereafter took part in several sorties to catch the British Mediterranean Fleet, most of which failed to result in any action, the notable exception being the Second Battle of Sirte in March 1942, where she damaged several British warships. Littorio was renamed Italia in July 1943 after the fall of the Fascist government. On 9 September 1943, the Italian fleet was attacked by German bombers while it was on its way to internment. During this action, which saw the destruction of her sister Roma, Italia herself was hit by a Fritz X radio-controlled bomb, causing significant damage to her bow. As part of the armistice agreement, Italia was interned at Malta, Alexandria, and finally in the Great Bitter Lake in the Suez Canal, where she remained until 1947. Italia was awarded to the United States as a war prize and scrapped at La Spezia in 1952–54.
Littorio and her sister Vittorio Veneto were designed in response to the French Dunkerque-class battleships.[2] Littorio was 237.76 meters (780.1 ft) long overall, had a beam of 32.82 m (107.7 ft) and a draft of 9.6 m (31 ft). She was designed with a standard displacement of 40,724 long tons (41,377 t), a violation of the 35,000-long-ton (36,000 t) restriction of the Washington Naval Treaty; at full combat loading, she displaced 45,236 long tons (45,962 t). The ship was powered by four Belluzo geared steam turbines rated at 128,000 shaft horsepower (95,000 kW). Steam was provided by eight oil-fired Yarrow boilers. The engines provided a top speed of 30 knots (56 km/h; 35 mph) and a range of 3,920 mi (6,310 km; 3,410 nmi) at 20 kn (37 km/h; 23 mph). Littorio had a crew of 1,830 to 1,950 over the course of her career.[3][4]
Littorio's main armament consisted of nine 381-millimeter (15.0 in) 50-caliber Model 1934 guns in three triple turrets; two turrets were placed forward in a superfiring arrangement and the third was located aft. Her secondary anti-surface armament consisted of twelve 152 mm (6.0 in) /55 Model 1934/35 guns in four triple turrets placed at the corners of the superstructure. These were supplemented by four 120 mm (4.7 in) /40 Model 1891/92 guns in single mounts; these guns were old weapons and were primarily intended to fire star shells. Littorio was equipped with an anti-aircraft battery that comprised twelve 90 mm (3.5 in) /50 Model 1938 guns in single mounts, twenty 37 mm (1.5 in)/54 /54 guns in eight twin and four single mounts, and sixteen 20 mm (0.79 in) /65 guns in eight twin mounts.[5] A further twelve 20 mm guns in twin mounts were installed in 1942. She received an EC 3 bis radar set in August 1941, an updated version in April 1942—which proved to be unsuccessful in service—and finally the EC 3 ter model in September 1942.[6]
The ship was protected by a main armored belt that was 280 mm (11 in) thick with a second layer of steel that was 70 mm (2.8 in) thick. The main deck was 162 mm (6.4 in) thick in the central area of the ship and reduced to 45 mm (1.8 in) in less critical areas. The main battery turrets were 350 mm (14 in) thick and the lower turret structure was housed in barbettes that were also 350 mm thick. The secondary turrets had 280 mm thick faces and the conning tower had 260 mm (10 in) thick sides.[4] Littorio was fitted with a catapult on her stern and equipped with three IMAM Ro.43 reconnaissance float planes or Reggiane Re.2000 fighters.[7]
Service history
Littorio was laid down at the Ansaldo shipyards in Genoa on 28 October 1934 to commemorate the Fascist Party's March on Rome in 1922. Her sister Vittorio Veneto was laid down the same day.[8] Changes to the design and a lack of armor plating led to delays in the building schedule, causing a three-month slip in the launch date from the original plan of May 1937. Littorio was launched on 22 August 1937, during a ceremony attended by many Italian dignitaries. She was sponsored by Signora Teresa Ballerino Cabella, the wife on an Ansaldo employee.[9] After her launch, the fitting out period lasted until early 1940. During this time, Littorio's bow was modified to lessen vibration and reduce wetness over the bow. Littorio ran a series of sea trials over a period of two months between 23 October 1939 and 21 December 1939. She was commissioned on 6 May 1940, and after running additional trials that month, she transferred to Taranto where she—along with Vittorio Veneto—joined the 9th Division under the command of Rear Admiral Carlo Bergamini.[10]
On 31 August – 2 September 1940, Littorio sortied as part of an Italian force of five battleships, ten cruisers, and thirty-four destroyers to intercept British naval forces taking part in Operation Hats and Convoy MB.3, but contact was not made with either group due to poor reconnaissance and no action occurred.[6][11] A similar outcome resulted from the movement against British Operation "MB.5" on 29 September - 1 October; Littorio, four other battleships, eleven cruisers, and twenty-three destroyers had attempted to intercept the convoy carrying troops to Malta.[6][12]
On the night of 10–11 November, the British Mediterranean Fleet launched an air raid on the harbor in Taranto. Twenty-one Swordfish torpedo bombers launched from the aircraft carrier HMS Illustrious attacked the Italian fleet in two waves.[13] The Italian base was defended by twenty-one 90 mm anti-aircraft guns and dozens of smaller 37 mm and 20 mm guns, along with twenty-seven barrage balloons. The defenders did not possess radar, however, and so were caught by surprise when the Swordfish arrived. Littorio and the other battleships were also not provided with sufficient anti-torpedo nets. The first wave struck at 20:35, followed by the second about an hour later.[14]
Damaged Littorio
The planes scored three hits on Littorio, one hit on Caio Duilio, and one on Conte di Cavour.[13] Of the torpedoes that struck Littorio, two hit in the bow and one struck the stern; the stern hit destroyed the rudder and shock from the explosion damaged the ship's steering gear. The two forward hits caused major flooding and led her to settle by the bows, with her decks awash up to her main battery turrets. She could not be brought into dock until 11 December due to a fourth, unexploded torpedo discovered under her keel; removing the torpedo proved to be a painstaking task, as any shift in the magnetic field around the torpedo might detonate its magnetic detonator.[15] Repairs lasted until 11 March 1941.[16]
Convoy operations
After repairs were completed, Littorio participated in an unsuccessful sortie to intercept British forces on 22–25 August. A month later, she led the attack on the Allied convoy in Operation Halberd on 27 September 1941.[16] The British force escorting the convoy included the battleships Rodney, Nelson, and Prince of Wales; Italian reconnaissance reported the presence of a powerful escort, and the Italian commander, under orders not to engage unless he possessed a strong numerical superiority, broke off the operation and returned to port.[17] On 13 December, she participated in another sweep to catch a convoy to Malta, but the attempt was broken off after Vittorio Veneto was torpedoed by a British submarine. Three days later, she steamed out to escort Operation M42, a supply convoy to Italian and German forces in North Africa.[16] By late 1941, British success at breaking the Enigma code made it increasingly difficult for Axis convoys to reach North Africa. The Italians therefore committed their battle fleet to the convoy effort to better protect the transports.[17] The next day, she took part in the First Battle of Sirte. Littorio, along with the rest of the distant covering force, engaged the escort of a British convoy heading for Malta that happened to run into the M42 convoy late in the day.[16] Littorio opened fire at extreme range, around 35,000 yards (32,000 m), but she scored no hits. Nevertheless, the heavy Italian fire forced the British force to withdraw under cover of a smokescreen and the M42 convoy reached North Africa without damage.[18][19]
On 3 January 1942, Littorio was again tasked with convoy escort, in support of Operation M43; she was back in port by 6 January. On 22 March, she participated in the Second Battle of Sirte, as the flagship for an Italian force attempting to destroy a British convoy bound for Malta.[16] After the fall of darkness, several British destroyers made a close-range attack on Littorio, but heavy fire from her main and secondary guns forced the destroyers to retreat.[20] As the destroyers withdrew, one of them hit Littorio with a single 4.7-inch (120 mm) shell, which caused minor damage to the ship's fantail.[21] During the battle, Littorio hit and seriously damaged the destroyers HMS Havock and Kingston. She also hit the cruiser Euryalus but did not inflict significant damage. Kingston limped to Malta for repairs, where she was later destroyed during an airstrike while in drydock.[22] Muzzle blast from Littorio's rear turret set one of her floatplanes on fire, though no serious damage to the ship resulted.[20] She fired a total of 181 shells from her main battery in the course of the engagement. Though the Italian fleet was unable to directly attack the convoy, it forced the transports to scatter and many were sunk the next day by air attack.[23]
Three months later, on 14 June, Littorio participated in the interception of the Operation Vigorous convoy to Malta from Alexandria. Littorio, Vittorio Veneto, four cruisers and twelve destroyers were sent to attack the convoy.[24] The British quickly located the approaching Italian fleet and launched several night air strikes in an attempt to prevent them from reaching the convoy, though the aircraft scored no hits.[25] While searching for the convoy the next day, Littorio was hit by a bomb dropped by a B-24 Liberator; the bomb hit the roof of turret no. 1 but caused negligible damage to the rangefinder hood and barbette, along with splinter damage to the deck. The turret nevertheless remained serviceable and Littorio remained with the fleet. The threat from Littorio and Vittorio Veneto forced the British convoy to abort the mission.[24][26] At 14:00, the Italians broke off the chase and returned to port; shortly before midnight that evening, Littorio was struck by a torpedo dropped by a British Wellington bomber, causing some 1,500 long tons (1,500 t) of water to flood the ship's bow. Her crew counter-flooded 350 long tons (360 t) of water to correct the list.[27] The ship was able to return to port for repairs, that lasted until 27 August.[27][24][26] She remained in Taranto until 12 December, when the fleet was moved to La Spezia.[26]
Fate
Littorio was inactive for the first six months of 1943 due to severe fuel shortages in the Italian Navy.[28] Only enough fuel was available for Littorio, Vittorio Veneto and their recently commissioned sister Roma, but even then the fuel was only enough for emergencies.[29] On 19 June 1943, an American bombing raid targeted the harbor at La Spezia and hit Littorio with three bombs. She was renamed Italia on 30 July after the government of Benito Mussolini fell from power. On 3 September, Italy signed an armistice with the Allies, ending her active participation in World War II. Six days later, Italia and the rest of the Italian fleet sailed for Malta, where they would be interned for the remainder of the war. While en route, the German Luftwaffe (Air Force) attacked the Italian fleet using Dornier Do 217s armed with Fritz X radio-controlled bombs. One Fritz X hit Italia just forward of turret no. 1; it passed through the ship and exited the hull, exploding in the water beneath and causing serious damage. Roma was meanwhile sunk in the attack.[26][30]
Italia and Vittorio Veneto were then moved, first to Alexandria, Egypt, and then to the Great Bitter Lake in the Suez Canal in Egypt on 14 September; they remained there until the end of the war. On 5 February 1947, Italia was finally permitted to return to Italy. In the Treaty of Peace with Italy, signed five days later on 10 February, Italia was allocated as a war prize to the United States. She was stricken from the naval register on 1 June 1948 and broken up for scrap at La Spezia.[31]